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The diplomatic effort to halt the fighting in Ukraine could be entering a "critical week," the European Union's lead foreign affairs official has stated, as a representative for ex-leader Donald Trump gets ready to hold talks with Vladimir Putin following weekend talks with Ukrainian officials.

Representative Amid Questionable Links to Russia Set for Meeting

Steve Witkoff, the property developer turned envoy, is set to confer with Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, as announced by. Witkoff was in recent reports revealed for coaching Russian diplomats on ways to gain Trump's favor.

"We are entering a critical week for diplomacy," said the EU's lead official, while emphasizing it was "clear that Russia is not seeking peace."

Zelenskyy's Diplomatic Tour for Backing

Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy undertook a diplomatic push to secure support from Ukraine's European friends. He met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday to talk over "the conditions of a equitable and sustainable peace," the Élysée Palace reported.

The Ukrainian leader is furthermore expected to make his inaugural state visit to Ireland on Tuesday. At the same time, his defense chief, Denys Shmyhal, was in Brussels on Monday for meetings with his EU colleagues.

Frustration over US-Led Talks

The EU official expressed frustration that Europeans were not included in recent negotiations held in Florida between the US and Ukraine, which she described as "tough but constructive." In response to a question about trusting the US to find a good outcome for Ukraine, she noted, "Ukrainians are there by themselves. If they would be together with the Europeans, they would undoubtedly be in a better position."

Writing on the platform X, Zelenskyy noted the US talks had been "extremely useful" but that there were "several difficult issues that still have to be resolved."

Worry over US Peace Plan

European leaders were previously concerned by a US proposal that circulated last month, which was seen as skewed in Russia's interest. Its alleged terms included granting Moscow areas in eastern Ukraine it does not yet control, forcing Kyiv to limit the size of its army, and renouncing its ambition to join NATO. While that initial plan has reportedly been scaled back, Witkoff's upcoming visit to Moscow—his sixth face-to-face meeting with Putin—is expected to heighten concern in Kyiv and across European capitals.

Witkoff is set to travel to Russia on Monday, accompanied by Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to continue peace talks. Kushner recently played an prominent role in negotiations over a Gaza peace deal. The Kremlin has not confirmed whether Kushner would too be present at the talks with Putin.

Florida Talks and Political Pressure

The two trusted Trump envoys took part in the Florida discussions between senior Ukrainian and US delegates, which occurred at a exclusive golf club built by Witkoff's company.

After the session, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced hope for an end to the war. "More work to be done. This is delicate," Rubio stated. "We have a lot of moving parts, and clearly there's another party involved here... that will have to be a part of the solution."

Adding to the international challenges, President Zelenskyy is facing domestic pressure following the unexpected resignation of his chief of staff and closest adviser, Andriy Yermak. The resignation came in response to a expanding corruption investigation that has become the most serious crisis of Zelenskyy's presidency.